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Your Teen Is Watching Even If She Doesn’t Seem to Be Listening

May 12, 2014

My daughter is 15 years old and I am worried that she is starting to push away not just from her dad and me but also from some of the beliefs we hold dear. What should we do?

– Concerned about wandering

Dear Concerned about wandering,

This is definitely a sensitive subject and it touches on that very strong need in teens for freedom while at the same time creating a sense of fear in parents. We want our teens to adopt the same belief system and worldview as we have but in all honesty it is impossible to force this on them.

The most important piece of advice I can give you is to resist the urge to push. Remember, your child has to dismantle your “components” before he knows whether or not she wants to keep them. So the harder you push your identity, beliefs and opinions on him, the more urgently she will feel compelled to distance himself from those specific things in order to become her own person.

And while not pushing your beliefs and opinions on your teen is something to avoid, living by example is something to pursue. Your kid would probably never be so uncool as to say so, but she is watching your actions closely. And at least some of the stories and life experiences she shares with you (“This guy fudged on his time card…”) will provide opportunities for positive social reference if you’re on the alert.

As you get to know the person your child is becoming, you may notice her hunger for appreciation. Even though we can’t help but notice the negative behaviors, they still need our encouragement and affection. Even though we sometimes feel that giving it is a like hugging a porcupine!